Day 23 – Never is heard a Discouraging Word

Narration here.

The skies looked like they would be cloudy all day so the plans for biking on the Mickelson trail would be postponed for later in the day if it cleared up. Kevin unloaded the bikes off the CRV for the 4th time in 2 days, stowing them on the rack on the back of the Smitanic. Kevin had chatted with a fellow camper the day before who claimed that Custer State Park was a very scenic drive. He claimed that the buffalo were out roaming, and they may even get up-close and personal. This sounded like a great choice for such a soggy day.

The Custer State park entrance was just up the road from the RV park where a sign warned vehicles of to be aware of an upcoming tunnel with a restriction of 10ft high and 8ft wide. No RVs could make that! Once Kevin saw it, he wondered if the CRV with the Yakama storage on top would make it. He held his breath and... made it! One of the park options was a wildlife trail that seemed to be the best bet for a buffalo sighting. Getting there required threading the even more restrictive tunnels on Needles Hwy. The rock formations (phallic in nature as MJB proclaimed) were impressive and required multiple stops for photo oopps. The road then wound down and opened up to a more rolling range... ah this is where the buffalo will be! Several deer in the tree line were spied as well as an occasional antelope and mounds with prairie dogs. Perhaps the buffalo were avoiding the rain and keeping cover in distant pastures? Up the next rise, cars were parked on both sides of the road as a small herd of bison sauntered across the road not realizing that they were the subject matter for today's blog post! Snap, Snap, Snap as the camera responded to each press on the shutter button to record the fact that the team was within several feet of a real life Buffalo.

With that mission a success, the next stop was back to Hill City to pick up a 'if it fits, it ships' envelope with mail from the home front. Theresa and Kevin had been anxious for this delivery as it contained the all-important invitation to the wedding of their son, Kiehl, and his fiance Madison!

The mail was triaged by Kevin. Theresa spent the time while there was 4-bar reception to do more down/up loading for the blog.

On the drive back to the RV park, it was unanimous that this area had lots to offer and could easily occupy weeks of exploration. Kevin thought Clanton's would enjoy riding their new Harley thru the curves in Custer Park, although they may feel a bit exposed if they met up with a buffalo herd. Theresa noted that she would not recommend staying at the Horsethief Campground, because of the park's road conditions, poor wifi, and location from the main Hwy. There were many, many other parks that seemed to be a better fit.

There was just enough time before dinner to get a short ride for 1 hour on the Mickelson trail which 100 miles long  from end to end with a $3 daily use fee.  It was constructed along old RR tracks and follows a stream that meanders thru the valleys of the black hills.   It was a mixed feeling to get back acquainted with the pedals not to mention the seats of the mountain bikes.  The trail out was a gradual up hill which would be good news on the way back.  The return to the start coincided with a new rain front moving in for the night.

This was the final night at the park so a bit of the evening was spent stowing items that had been brought out for the 3 night stay. The route for the next day would include a stop in Sturgis for Kevin. Though it did not meet his bucket list item of attending the infamous annual motorcycle rally, it at least would give him a sense of what that spectacle is about. The route then continues for a close encounter of the KOA kind in Devils Tower, WY.